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How to Add a Suica Card to Your Phone Wallet

Last updated 3/15/2025
Suica Card

Suica is a rechargeable IC card used for transportation and payments in Japan. You can add Suica to your smartphone wallet to make travel and shopping more convenient. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to add a Suica card to your phone wallet.

Step 1: Check Device Compatibility

Before adding a Suica card to your phone, ensure that your device supports Suica in a mobile wallet.

For iPhone Users:

  • Must have an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 13 or later.

  • Apple Watch Series 3 or later also supports Suica.

For Android Users:

  • Must have an Osaifu-Keitai (おサイフケータイ) compatible device.

  • Must support Google Wallet (previously Google Pay) or the Suica App.

  • NFC-enabled for contactless transactions.

If your phone is compatible, proceed with the setup process.

Step 2: Ensure Region and Account Settings

Suica Card

Before adding Suica, you may need to change your phone settings to ensure compatibility:

For iPhone Users:

  • Go to Settings > General > Language & Region.

  • Set the Region to "Japan" if necessary.

  • Sign in with an Apple ID that has a registered payment method.

For Android Users:

  • Ensure Google Wallet or the Suica app is installed.

  • Change the Google Play Store country to Japan if required.

Step 3: Add Suica to Your Phone Wallet

For iPhone (Apple Wallet):

  1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap the + (Add) button in the top-right corner.

  3. Select Transit Card, then choose Suica.

  4. Tap Continue, then choose either:

  • Create a new Suica card and load money onto it.

  • Transfer an existing physical Suica card by placing it on the back of your phone and following the prompts.

For Android (Google Wallet):

  1. Open the Google Wallet app (or install it from the Play Store if needed).

  2. Tap Add to Wallet and select Transit Card.

  3. Choose Suica from the list of supported transit cards.

  4. Follow the instructions to either:

  5. Create a new Suica card and load money onto it.

  6. Transfer an existing physical Suica card by placing it on the back of your phone.

  7. Complete the setup and wait for the confirmation message.

Step 4: Using Suica on Your Phone

Suica Card

Once Suica is added to your wallet, you can start using it immediately. Here’s how:

  • For Transit: Simply hold your phone near the ticket gate reader to enter and exit stations.

  • For Shopping: Look for stores that accept Suica and tap your phone on the reader to pay.

  • For Automatic Recharge (Apple Pay/Google Pay): You can add funds via your registered payment method in the Wallet or Suica app.

Step 5: Managing Your Suica Card

  • Checking Balance: Open Wallet or Google Wallet and view the Suica card details.

  • Adding Funds: Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Suica app to top up your card.

  • Deleting or Transferring Suica: If switching devices, remove the Suica card from your Wallet before transferring it to a new phone.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Suica Not Appearing? Ensure your region settings are set to Japan, and try restarting your device.

  • Payment Issues? Make sure your Apple Pay or Google Pay is set up correctly with a valid payment method.

  • Error During Transfer? If your Suica card is not recognized, check if it’s already linked to another device and remove it before re-adding.

By following these steps, you can easily add a Suica card to your phone and enjoy seamless travel and cashless payments throughout Japan.